ST. GEORGE, Utah-Per a Wednesday announcement, Dixie State men’s soccer was picked fifth in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in the preseason coaches’ poll.
The Trailblazers, newcomers to the RMAC, return six starters and 12 letter-winners from last season’s 12-5 squad.
This represents the third straight year Dixie State has won at least 10 straight matches.
Defending RMAC champion Colorado School of Mines is the overwhelming choice to repeat as the Orediggers netted nine first-place votes with Colorado Mesa getting two more.
The Trailblazers’ returning leading goal scorer is Mesquite, Nev. native Moises Medina, a junior forward.
Medina is also the lone Dixie State representative on the RMAC all-preseason team.
The Trailblazers do return 72 percent of their offensive output from 2017. Prolific returning scorers include junior midfielder Jandir Porta of West Valley City, Utah and Hunter High School, who posted six goals and six assists last season.
Junior goalie Zach Nielson also provides stability in minding the net as the West Point, Utah native and Northridge High School product posted a 9-5 record last season. He earned Pac-West co-goalkeeper of the year award honors for his heroics.
